Category: FOOD & DRINK

Chef Paul Iskov from The New Vanguard on Melbourne Good Food Month

Posted: 18/06/2019

Melbourne Good Food Month is back in town now, so we spoke to one kitchen man in the know who’s got some exciting things on the go. Name’s Paul Iskov from The New Vanguard in Melbourne and he’s leading the charge on what the restaurant’s name legacy will be in the southern food scene. Iskov will be cooking alongside Matt Stone in their Good Food Month event, which needless to say, he’s pretty stoked for. “I’m really looking forward to getting over to the East Coast and cooking for Melbourne Good Food Month. Matt is a great chef, really leading the way in Australia and changing the way people think, cook and eat, it’s going to be a really fun event and look forward to checking out the rest of the Festival,” said Iskov. We had a chat to him about what to expect and how it’s all going to go down. Why is food so good in Melbourne? Melbourne has some of the best restaurants in Australia and the world, it is so multicultural and you have a huge amount of choices, when it comes to dining out. There is a huge amount of talented cook’s and when you pair that with great produce from the region, you get to experience some great food. How do you think what you do sets you apart from the rest of the Australian food scene? I would say Fervor is different in a few ways, but the main thing would be we don’t have a permanent restaurant,… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: melbourne good food month, Paul Iskov New Vanguard, the f good food month

LONDON: Pop-up mixology classes to get you loose

by James Banham

Posted: 16/06/2019

Cocktails aren’t just for drinking, they’re for making, and there’s no one better to make your favourite libations with than Mixology Events. They’re putting on a summer affair this year if that’s your bag, across London, which involves flash classes in an eclectic selection of venues, from a Shoreditch rooftop to an art gallery in the heart of Fitzrovia. Each pop-up will place a distinct emphasis on learning how to master cocktail classics within a fun and unusual setting. The series kicks off on Friday 21 June with an al fresco ‘Summer Solstice Rooftop Masterclass’ that will focus on the art of perfecting classic summertime cocktails. It’ll go down at TT Liquor in Shoreditch and comes complete with views stretching across East London. Event number two is on Wednesday 24 July at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in Fitzrovia. It’s all about rum for rum month and will focus on good bevs for the London summer. And the best part is, these two summer events are just the start of what Mixology has to offer. From 7-11 August, there’s an espresso martini fest to educate drinkers about one of the world’ favourite cocktails. And then, they’re tacking on a food-focused instalment with supper clubs, joined by celebrated chefs that will focus on food and cocktail pairings in some swanky London venues. Tickets are priced at £70 per two-hour class, which includes 5 cocktails. Get your tickets here.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: How to make cocktails, london, London cocktail classes, London cocktails, London pop-up mixology classes, Pop up cocktail classes

Colicci opens The Serpentine Coffee House in Hyde Park London this summer

by James Banham

Posted: 14/06/2019

There’s a new cafe coming to London, right in the middle of Hyde Park. Colicci has partnered with architecture and design practice Mizzi Studio and The Royal Parks to open The Serpentine Coffee House this summer; what will be an all-day eatery on the banks of The Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park London. On the menu is such gastronomic magic to make your visit to the park that much nicer; morning bites through to afternoon treats and freshly churned gelato. And if that’s not enough, take your pick from a deli-style menu which will feature the likes of chicken avocado piadina wraps; sourdough baguettes generously filled with either tuna, egg mayo, or salami and brie, and Puligese ciabattas. The countertop will showcase a selection of artisanal bakery products such as gluten-free brownies, white chocolate and cranberry muffins, almond shortbread slices, carrot cake and blueberry crumble cake. There’s a tonne going on in a setting befitting even the Queen herself – she does live backing onto it, after all – so you know it’s going to be top notch. The new set up even comes complete with stunning views of the Serpentine Lake and the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, so if good views and good food are your thing, this might be worth checking out. Find Colicci in Hyde Park.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Best cafes Hyde Park, Colicci, Colicci Hyde Park, Hyde Park cafes, Hyde Park London cafes, London cafes, The F London

New Zealand’s month-long food festival is coming to Wellington

by James Banham

Posted: 13/06/2019

New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, is about to say hello again to its favourite food festival, Wellington on a Plate. For the first time, they’re taking it out to a new and improved format and extending it to the whole month of August. Think 31 days, 5 weekends and loads of foodie goodness. Bars, bistros, food trucks and fine dining will pump out hundreds of dishes through heaps of foodie events alongside creative menus, burgers, cocktails and food pop-ups for die-hard bingers. It even comes complete with over 20 top international and local chefs from all over the world to the shores of Wellington to cook right here in the culinary capital. These names are synonymous with exciting and innovative cuisine, often only available in far-off places, and will be sure to excite both foodies and newbies alike. See more at the Wellington on a Plate website.

Category: FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tags: food festival, Food festival Wellington, new zealand, New Zealand food festival, THE F New Zealand, the-f, Wellington New Zealand food

LONDON: Botanist Gin and Little Yellow Door make new chlorophyll cocktail

by James Banham

Updated: 13/06/2019

Notting Hill is known for a lot of things – thanks Hugh Grant – and now, it’s got another notch on its belt thanks to The Botanist Gin and local watering hole, The Little Yellow Door. Together they’ve made the city’s first chlorophyll-based brunch cocktail, served at the eclectic late-night cocktail bar to emulate the rip-roaring brunches their sister venue, The Little Blue Door has been making since last year. The drink’s called the Hangover and is an alcohol-infused body purifying breakfast tipple packs one hell of a punch with more health benefits than drinks can shake a stick at; a fresh, nutritional drink made with The Botanist Gin, elderflower, egg white, chlorophyll, served in a coupette with mint and chlorophyll perfume. It’s all available from 8 June on the Saturday menu forever. See more at the bar’s website.

Category: ART, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Chlorophyll cocktail, cocktails, London cocktail bars, London cocktails, The Little Yellow Door, Yellow Door Bar, Yellow Door cocktail

LONDON: Mac & Wild in Fitzrovia have taken a healthy step

by James Banham

Updated: 13/06/2019

Sure, they might flog bottles of premixed cocktails – that smell and taste amazing – they may do some hearty-as-hell dishes that you never want to stop eating and pump out cocktails that you could have one a day of, forever; but Mac & Wild in Fitzrovia are doing something new. They’ve recently added to their menu, a take on a Highland Poke bowl, that takes all the elements of the healthy, almost, food group within itself, and added their own slant. Mac & Wild are known for their Scottich fare, heartiness and all-round tastiness, so it makes sense they offer something for the more scarcily-fed-inclined amongst us, who’re after something a little more green. They’ve got ‘wee plates’ of bread, haggis and fish bites, larger plates of burgers and carb-heavy dishes for those winter days, but the new ‘wild bowls’ are all about a healthy balancing-out of the two. Think, a salmon buckthorn bowl for £14, of sea buckthorn diced salmon, supergrains, green bean salad, miso, lime & sesame, kimchee, Asian dressing & puffed barley, for example. Or, something like the vegan pulse pop bowl for £12.5, which is as the name suggests, vegan; of golden vegan haggis pops, supergrains, raw kale, chilli, almond & broccoli salad, pickled seaweed, scotch bonnet hot sauce & seeds. All bases are covered right in the middle of Fitzrovia London, right in time for summer. See the full menu and make a booking at the Mac & Wild website.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Best restaurants London, Fitzrovia cafes, Fitzrovia London, Fitzrovia restaurants London, Fitzrovia restaurants London guide, london guide, London restaurants, Mac Wild, Mac Wild Fitzrovia

All about Negroni Week and the 100th birthday of the Negroni

by James Banham

Posted: 11/06/2019

Not only is it Negroni Week from 24-30 June, but we’re also celebrating the 100th birthday of the cocktail, so if every you were going to get on board, now’s the time. It’s the one period of the year where bars, restaurants and retailers around the world, dedicate themselves to celebrating the red cocktail, with Campari at the heart, over the common goal of raising money for charitable initiatives. And this year is even more special, as 2019 marks the 100-year anniversary of the Negroni: #N100. The week of celebration’s been around since 2013 with around 100 participating bars in Australia with a total of $585,000 for charitable causes in 2018 being raised around the world. On 24th June, festivities will commence in Florence, the birthplace of the Negroni, triggering a series of charity events due to take place around the world to honour Count Camillo Negroni, the man who inspired the cocktail. International bartenders will gather from around the world to prepare their interpretations and twists on The Negroni in Florence. Australian bars will be pumping out contemporary interpretations of the Negroni created by Australian artists like Jamie Preisz (winner of the 2018 Archibald Packing Room Prize and 2018 People’s Choice Prospect Portrait Prize). His Negroni masterpiece “Gliding Bloom Drift” will go into a sweepstake prize draw with all proceeds being donated to the ReachOut.com organisation. Here’s a list of bars to go that are joining in the party. Sydney: maybe sammy, big poppas, bulletin place, burrow bar, continental cbd, door knock, earl’s juke… Read More

Category: BRISBANE, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, PERTH, SYDNEY

Tags: Australian Negronis, Best Negronis Australia, negroni, negroni bars, Negroni guide, negroni week, Negroni week bars, Where to go Negroni Week

From Sydney to London: Where to celebrate World Gin Day

by James Banham

Posted: 08/06/2019

Gin is as trendy as anything right now and its popularity definitely isn’t limited to Australia or the UK, but damn when it comes to celebrating it, both countries have it down-packed. Between Sydney and London, there’s enough on to keep your whistle whet, so head along and give any one of their gin concoctions a go. London If you’re not tracking down where’s good to do for a tipple of The Botanist gin, then you’re doing something wrong. Find out about their London-exclusive map to goodness they’ve created, here. They’ll also be mixing up drinks at Belgravia, Opium, The Blind Pig, The Shrub and Shutter, The Little Yellow Door, Le Pont de la Tour and Jin Bo Law Skybar for guests. Bluebird Chelsea are celebrating World Gin Day on the 8th June with a Fever-Tree Perfect Serves Menu. The Chelsea landmark have collaborated with Fever-Tree to create a menu with summery flavours and a quintessentially British garden on the sun-soaked terrace. The menu features an array of G&Ts including Perfectly Pink G&T made with Pink Pepper Ginand Aromatic Tonic garnished with lemon and lavender. Mr Fogg’s is putting on a gin spectacular for all to witness in the Parlour, as they attempt London’s first 4 metre gin pour, from the top windows of Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour on Saturday 8 June. The Little Yellow Door is Notting Hill is throwing the ultimate house party, complete with a chlorophyll-based brunch cocktail. Called ‘The Hangover’, this body purifying breakfast tipple packs one hell of a punch with more health benefits than drinks can shake a stick at…. Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON, SYDNEY

Tags: Best bars gin, gin, Gin Day, London blog, London food blog, London gin, Sydney blog, sydney food blog, sydney gin, world gin day

Rivareno Gelato Sydney: Sugar hits done right

by Emi Berry

Updated: 07/06/2019

Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean you can’t continue to enjoy frosty favourites like gelato. And it’s even better on hot Belgian waffles or freshly made crepes, which are now on offer as part of Rivareno’s winter menu. The crepes and waffles are served with either gianduia sauce (a chocolate-hazelnut sauce similar to Nutella), or with an organic Canadian maple syrup, topped with Rivareno’s freshly made gelato. Take it to the next level with some freshly whipped cream, if you dare! Rivareno’s has also introduced nine delicious vegan sorbets as part of the new winter menu including extra bitter cioccolato, pistachio, almond, authentic Italian gianduia, kiwi and coconut, plus more! If you’re after something really satisfying and indulgently rich to keep you warm, there’s also Rivareno’s signature rich Italian style hot chocolate, made with Valrhona single origin Grand Cru ‘Manjari’ chocolate. Be warned though, the hot chocolate is super thick, so you’ll want to enjoy it at a nice, slow pace. Rivareno have two stores in Sydney, one in Darlinghurst at 280 Crown Street and the other located at Barangaroo, 33 Barangaroo Avenue.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: food blog, Gelato Sydney, Rivareno Gelato, Rivareno Gelato Sydney, sydney dessert, sydney food blog, the f food blog, THE F Rivareno Gelato Sydney, the f sydney

Melbourne Good Food Month feature events you want to try

by James Banham

Posted: 03/06/2019

Melbourne’s Custom House is about to become the hub-of-hubs for this year’s Melbourne Good Food Month. With chefs Adam Liaw, Jason Baratt and Nick Mahlook on hand, there’ll be a series of unique dining events that await any hungry foodie. Here’s what’s on: Adam Liaw x Keita Abe When: Wednesday, 12 June, 6:30pm How much: $170 Adam Liaw, television host of Destination Flavour and author of five incredible cookbooks, is inviting Melburnians on a cultural and culinary journey, with Keita Abe from Sydney institution, Chaco Bar. Abe is the master of yakitori, cultivating a cult following with his famous meat skewers, inspired by his native city of Fukuoka, Japan. Tickets include multiple courses with premium wines and beer supplied by James Squire. The Good Food Editor’s Dinner presented by David Jones When: Friday, 14 June, 6:30pm How much: $170 National Good Food Editor Ardyn Bernoth and Chief Restaurant Critic Gemima Cody have assembled the who’s who of the industry, sharing their insights and anecdotes into the wonderful world of food – Jason Barratt, head chef of Halcyon House’s two-hatted restaurant Paper Daisy, Nick Mahlook, whose ocean-to-plate philosophy keeps Melbourne’s The Atlantic Group very busy, and Nikki To, the woman behind the famous food images in the business and the person Australia’s top chefs call when they want to elevate a dish into an icon. Young Chefs Lunch with Marco Pierre White presented by Citi When: Saturday, 8 June 1:30pm In this special event, Marco Pierre White will host a four-course lunch, prepared by four hotly tipped stars of Melbourne’s culinary scene – Jessica… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: food guide Melbourne, Good Food Melbourne, good food month, melbourne food, melbourne good food month, the f melbourne

ARTS & CULTURE

Yayoi Kasuma makes more history at NGV Melbourne

22/11/2024

By James Banham

This summer, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne invites you to lose yourself in the extraordinary universe of Yayoi Kusama.

Why rush to see The Great Mughals at V&A: a celebration of opulence, art and culture

22/11/2024

By James Banham

Today, the Victoria and Albert Museum opens the doors to a landmark exhibition, The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence. For the first time in a major show, the monumental artistic achievements of the Mughal Empire’s ‘Golden Age’ (c. 1560–1660) take centre stage, showcasing the splendour, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange that defined one of the world’s greatest empires. The Glory of the Mughals The Mughal dynasty, rooted in Central Asia, was founded in 1526 by Babur, a Timurid prince who carved out an empire stretching from modern-day Afghanistan to the edges of southern India, and from Gujarat to the borders of present-day Bangladesh. At its zenith, the empire was known for its staggering wealth, progressive governance, and artistic innovation. Focused on the reigns of three of the dynasty’s most celebrated emperors—Akbar (r. 1556–1605), Jahangir (r. 1605–1627), and Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658)—the exhibition illuminates a period when the Mughal court transformed into a cultural powerhouse. These were the rulers who commissioned masterpieces like the Taj Mahal and fostered an artistic legacy that blended Persian, Indian, and European influences. Unveiling the Court’s Creative Mastery At the heart of the exhibition are over 200 objects, breathtaking in both their beauty and their historical value. Visitors can expect to marvel at exquisite paintings, intricately illustrated manuscripts, luxurious textiles, vibrantly hued carpets, and dazzling objects crafted from mother of pearl, jade, rock crystal, and precious metals. Many of these treasures have been hidden from public view for decades, making this a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in the artistry of… Read More

A Golden Adventure awaits at the Australian Museum with new Machu Picchu Exhibition

21/11/2024

By Danielle Kirk

Sydney, prepare yourselves for a cultural gold rush. From November 23, the Australian Museum is rolling out its latest blockbuster, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. This dazzling exhibition is your passport to ancient Peru, featuring 134 priceless treasures from the land of the Incas and 14,000 years of history. Think glittering jewels, royal tomb artefacts, and a VR journey to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s more than a history lesson—it’s a time machine with all the bells, whistles, and human sacrifice relics you could dream of. Following the success of the Ramses Exhibition at the Australian Museum (fun fact, it became the highest grossing exhibition in the State’s history, selling over 500,000 tickets!), Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is created in partnership with Peru’s Museo Larco, Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon, and Neon Global, taking you on a journey through five ancient Peruvian empires, spanning over 3,000 years of rich history. Parts of the collection have only been shown in four other cities around the world, in fact, some of the artefacts have never left Peru before, and now we’re lucky to set sights on them in Sydney. Expect to see the most opulent Andean gold collection to ever leave Peru, intricate ceremonial masks, and objects that whisper secrets of long-lost rituals. For the tech-savvy explorers, the Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor VR experience will transport you above the clouds for a bird’s-eye tour of the legendary citadel. Guided by the… Read More

NGV Architecture Commission 2024: Home Truth by Breathe

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In a bold reimagining of Australian home design, Home Truth by Breathe has been announced as the winner of the NGV Architecture Commission for 2024. This captivating installation takes the form of a labyrinthine house-within-a-house, challenging the notion of ever-expanding home sizes in Australia. At the heart of this design is a powerful message: rethink how we build to create more sustainable, higher-quality, and community-orientated living spaces. Home Truth invites visitors to step into a space that questions the ethical and ecological ramifications of the sprawling, oversized homes that have become prevalent across the nation. An external frame mirrors the silhouette of the average Australian home, which, at 236 square metres, ranks as the largest globally. Nestled within this silhouette is a serene timber structure, representing a smaller, more sustainable living footprint. This juxtaposition of scales is not just an architectural statement but a call to action. By contrasting these two structures, Home Truth shines a light on how smaller, more considered homes could help reduce suburban sprawl, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance community wellbeing. It is a thought-provoking invitation for audiences to consider alternative, sustainable housing models that could lead to positive lifestyle changes. Visitors entering through the expansive garage door of the larger house find themselves navigating a maze of rooms and corridors, eventually arriving at the intimate timber retreat. This wooden haven offers a space for meditation and reflection, presenting a tangible vision of a more sustainable housing future. Constructed from framing pine and Saveboard, Home Truth uses materials emblematic of current… Read More

LOEWE PRECO SS25 SUNA FUJITA CERAMICS RGB CROPPED 4X5 3 5

Suna Fujita, LOEWE & Melbourne Art Fair to exhibit works

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In an exciting fusion of art and fashion, Melbourne Art Fair has announced a groundbreaking partnership with LOEWE, the esteemed luxury fashion brand renowned for its dedication to craftsmanship since 1846. This collaboration brings to life an exquisite preview of Jonathan Anderson’s renewed partnership with the Kyoto-based ceramist duo, Suna Fujita, marking a world-first exhibition in Australasia. The LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection made its debut with an intimate showcase at LOEWE’s Melbourne Collins Street store, offering an exclusive viewing experience of twenty whimsical ceramic pieces. These delicate works, celebrated for their intricate hand-painted scenes featuring ocean creatures and cosmic animals, seamlessly blend artistry with everyday function, transforming accessories and ready-to-wear items into enchanting works of art. Fair Director Melissa Loughnan expressed her enthusiasm for this creative union, stating, “This partnership is a reflection of Melbourne Art Fair and LOEWE’s shared commitment to supporting living artists and creatives, and an exciting precursor to the 18th edition of the Fair, which promises to be one of our most dynamic and anticipated showcases yet.” The collaboration not only highlights the playful essence of Suna Fujita’s ceramics but also underscores the vibrant art scene that Melbourne Art Fair champions. Launching today, the LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection is available both in stores and online at loewe.com, continuing until 29th December 2024. This artistic venture paves the way for the 18th edition of Melbourne Art Fair, set to take place from 20-23 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair will present a remarkable assembly of… Read More